Mouth-harmonica.



PATENTED MAY 12, 1908.

B. KOCH. MOUTH HARMONICA.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.21,1908.

mW m uamus r: ca, WAIHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED sTATEs oninon.

ERNST KOCH, OFJERSEY CllY HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY.

MOUTH-HARMON 10A.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EnNsT Koon, a citizen of the Empire of Germany,residing in Jersey City Heights, in the county of Hudson and State ofNew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inhilouth- Harmonicas, of which the following is a s ')eci1ication.

This invention relates to mouth harmonicas in which instead of reedssmall bells are used which are actuated by means of clappers in the samemanner as the reeds ar by suction and pressure exerted by the mouth; andthe invention consists in the novel features of construction which willbe fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view ofmy improved mouth harmonica, and Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively avertical longitudinal section and a vertical transverse section on lines2, 2 and 3, 3, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, (t represents the casing ofmyimproved mouthharmonica, which is made in the usual manner, of any suitable size. Inthe casing a are arranged transverse bores or passages b, of circularcross-section and provided with guide-slots in their upper part. At theinterior of the bores are arranged pistons (Z which are actuated bysuction and pressure of the mouth produced in the same manner as inordinary harmonicas in sounding the reeds. To the pistons are rigidlyattached slappers e that are carried solely by the pistons and guided inthe slots of the bores. The upper ends or heads of the clappers arecapable of movement so as to strike one pair of bells f, each pairconsisting of bells of different sizes, that are arranged at the frontand rear of the clappers. As many pairs of bells are arranged as thereare bores arranged in the casing a of the harmonica, the stems f of thebells being supported on base-plates f which are attached to the upperportion of the casing. The bells are grouped in two longitudinal rows instaggered relation to provide the necessary space for the same,decreasing in size from the left-hand or bass-end towards the right-handor treble-end of the harmonica.

Specification oi Letters Patent.

Application filed January 21, 1908.

I Patented May 12, 1908.

Serial No. 1,927.

The playing of the harmonica is accomplished by the suction and force ofthe air which actuates the pistons in the bores, and thereby theclappers which strike the bells. To facilitate the movement of thepistons and return the clappers into median position between eachcorresponding pair of bells, cushioning springs s are interposed betweenthe ends of the pistons and suitable collars or stops in the bores, asshown in Fig. 3. The central position of the clappers between the bellssecures the striking of the bells on the actuation of the pistons bysuction or force, so that a very attractive bell mouth harmonica isobtained which furnishes entirely new effects. 7

in place of the bells, metallic plates, socalled inetallophone plates,may be used for producing the tone.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A month harmonica comprising a casing having bores therein, groups ofbells mounted on said casing and arranged in pairs disposedlongitudinally of the bores, and a device operating in each bore andbetween the corresponding pair of bells by which both of the latter arestruck.

2. in a mouth harmonica, the combination of a casing having a boretherein, a pair of bells mounted on said casing above said bore, apiston in said bore, and a clapper on said piston which at each end ofits movement strikes one of said bells.

3. A month harmonica consisting of a casing having bores or passages,pistons in said bores, clappers attached to the pistons and guided inslots of said bores, and bells mounted on the casing.

4. A mouth harmonica consisting of a cas ing having bores therein,pistons in said bores, cushioning springs interposed between the pistonsand the ends of the bores, clappers supported on the pistons, anddevices which are struck by the-clappers.

5. A month harmonica comprising a casing having a plurality of bores,rows of bells mounted on said casing at the front and rear of said boresand arranged in staggered relation, said bells being also arranged inpairs disposed longitudinally of the bores, and devices operating insaid bores by which both bells of each pair are struck.

6. Inamouth harmonica, the combination I my invention, I have signed myname in of a casing having a bore therein, zhbell presence of twosubscribing Witnesses. 1nounte( on the casing, a iston mova e in Y saidbore, and a clapper Iiiounted solely on ERBST KOCH 5 said piston andarranged to be moved by the Witnesses:

latter into direct contact With said bell. PAUL GOEPEL,

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as g HENRY BRAEUNINGER.

